Tips for compiling MPD in Windows for Windows

[RichardSchorrig]

Hi,
I tried to compile MPD as Windows application without success (always with the python build script). First I tried with cygwin64 (it would not go past the compiler tests), then MSYS2 (it would not find the compiler (?)) and finally I installed WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) with an Ubuntu 20.04. This was the most promising approach, but in the end it would complain about the meson build file.

Before I take a look at the meson stuff, I wanted to ask if you guys have any tips? Which environment do you use and how did you install it?

Thanks and best regards,
Richard

[MaxKellermann]

I've never tried to build MPD on Windows, and actually I don't have Windows.
Building on WSL is building on Linux, not on Windows, because technically, WSL(2) is just a VM with an original Linux. There's no difference between compiling on Linux and WSL2.

[RichardSchorrig]

I found my problem: the g++ was missing on the build machine (not the mingw-g++)...

Maybe I'll provide some step by step instructions for dummies like me.

[RichSiciliano]

Please help a bigger dummy than you. I went the same route as you, and even tried Ubuntu-16.04 and Ubuntu-18.04 WSL, still can't get past meson build complaints.

[MaxKellermann]

No. Nobody can help if you keep the details of your problem a secret.

[RichSiciliano]

This is the error I get -

Traceback (most recent call last): File "../../win32/build.py", line 92, in from build.libs import * File "/home/richie/MPD/python/build/libs.py", line 6, in from build.meson import MesonProject File "/home/richie/MPD/python/build/meson.py", line 45 """) ^ SyntaxError: invalid syntax

I am just following the users manual. I've been Using MPD on Gnu-Linux for 20 years, but I don't know much hacking other that what I've learned getting things to work over the years (ndiswrapper, alsa, etc.). I only attended school through the 7th grade, and I skipped from 3rd to 5th, so I don't have much of an education. And although I have learned everything I know about computers reading forums, this is my first post, so anything you can do to help would be appreciated, if you can tell me what information you need to from me.

[RichSiciliano]

I guess it's a bad habit I developed when I started using MythTv on Suse, I don't think there were any packages for it. Maybe windows is not for me. I don't know how to install, configure, or check the status of, a service. Thanks for your help.

[RichardSchorrig]

you can try to start it with
mpd.exe mpd.conf --stderr --no-daemon --verbose
given there is a mpd.conf file right next to the mpd.exe

[RichSiciliano]

Thanks Richard, that worked. I just configured it with folder that has 2 CD's in it that I mapped as a network drive, and it is playing locally. Now I can add the rest of my music. Thanks for all of your assistance, Rich

[davidremmons]

IF I can ask what version of windows you have MPD running successfully on?

[RichSiciliano]

I inherited a Dell laptop with Windows 10 and I upgraded it to 11. I had it working on both 10 and 11, but I was not able to add MPD as service, so that it would start at boot. I created a desktop shortcut for the mpd.exe and pinned it to my taskbar, so I could open it with powershell, and then just open new powershell tabs to work in. After a month, I wiped Windows, and replaced it with GNU/Linux (as Richard Stallman rightfully prefers). It's much easier for me to add MPD as a service, and mount my network drive with NFS on GNU/Linux, and at this stage in life, I don't have time to play around with Windows. But Windows is definitely 100 times better than a Mac.